Nigeria To Host 28 Film Festivals In 2024
CREATIVES who have been clamouring for a calendar of film festivals in Nigeria, now have something to plan with, as the leadership of the Nigerian Film Festival Association ( NFFA) has announced that Nigeria will play host to 28 film festivals in different cities across Nigeria in 2024. Public Relations Director of the NFFA, Kate Ezeigbo, stated in a release to announce the launch of associations 2024 film festival calendar that as at the time of the launch, “there are 28 fast growing and recognised film festivals captured on the calendar,” which the association introduced last year following demands by industry critics for a calendar of film festivals in Nigeria. Ezeigbo who doubles as the Festival Director of the Rivers International Film Festival ( RIFF) stated that the NFFA decided to launch the calendar early in the year so as to enable creatives in Nigeria and all around the world, plan effectively to participate in the festivals. “Film festivals promote networking, cultural exchange and diversity. It also aids the marketability and distribution of our products, artistic innovation and experimentation. It is also useful for community engagement and economic impact,” Ezeigbo said, adding that the calendar will be published yearly and updated as more festivals come on board. Some of the festivals listed on the 2024 calendar are Coal City Film Festival which will hold between March 21 and March 23, Eko International Film Festival billed for April 2024, irepresent International Documentary Film Festival, African Indigenous Language Film Festival billed for July, Kaduna International Film Festival billed for August, Bayelsa International Film Festival billed for September, Abuja International Film Festival which is in its 21st edition, Nigerian Film Corporation ( NFC) organised Zuma Film Festival, the Lagos International Film Festival, Jos International Film Festival, Badagry International Film, Cultural and Sports Festival, and the Kano Indigenous Language of Africa Film Market and Festival billed to hold in the city of Kano as from November 26 to 30, 2024. Others are Rivers International Film Festival slated for October 25 through to October 27, Kingdom Film Festival, Reel Women International Film Festival and the Victor Thompson Inyang founded Uyo International Theatre and Film Festival, which is billed for October 3 to October 5, 2024. The NFFA is the umbrella body that was established in 2023 to coordinate and regulate all film festivals in Nigeria. The Association is currently chaired by accomplished filmmaker and founder of the Coal City Film Festival Uche Agbo. Information on the festivals can be sourced at www. nigerianfilmfestivals. org.